Nuclear Power PlantsNuclear Power Plants::The Past and the Future of PowerThe Past and the Future of Power

NucleusNucleus

Composed of protons Composed of protons and neutronsand neutrons239239PuPu9494 or Pu – 239 or Pu – 239

94 protons94 protons

145 neutrons145 neutrons

Isotope of Plutonium Isotope of Plutonium

RadioactivityRadioactivity

Some isotopes are Some isotopes are unstable unstable

Spontaneously DecaySpontaneously Decay

Decaying isotopes Decaying isotopes emit particlesemit particles

Half-lifeHalf-life

Pu-239 decays to U-Pu-239 decays to U-235 with the emission 235 with the emission of an alpha particle:of an alpha particle:The time for half of The time for half of the Pu-239 nuclei to the Pu-239 nuclei to decay is called the decay is called the half-lifehalf-life. . 24,000 years is half-24,000 years is half-life for Pu-239 decaylife for Pu-239 decay

FissionFission

By bombarding a By bombarding a nucleus with neutrons, a nucleus with neutrons, a stable isotope can be stable isotope can be induced to induced to fissionfission or or split. split. U-235 is an example of U-235 is an example of a a fissionablefissionable material. material.The release of neutrons The release of neutrons in this reaction means in this reaction means that we can set up a that we can set up a chain reactionchain reaction

Fission Releases EnergyFission Releases Energy

When the fission is When the fission is controlled,controlled, as in a as in a nuclear reactor, it can nuclear reactor, it can be a practical source be a practical source of power.of power.

When the fission is When the fission is uncontrolled it can be uncontrolled it can be the basis for weapons the basis for weapons of mass destruction.of mass destruction.

FusionFusion

Two light nuclei combine Two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. to form a heavier nucleus.

The fusion of deuterium The fusion of deuterium (a hydrogen isotope) with (a hydrogen isotope) with tritium (another hydrogen tritium (another hydrogen isotope) to form a helium isotope) to form a helium nucleus can release a nucleus can release a great deal of energy.great deal of energy.

Fusion PowerFusion Power

Using a fission bomb as Using a fission bomb as a trigger, a hydrogen a trigger, a hydrogen bomb, or a H-bomb bomb, or a H-bomb uses fusion to create a uses fusion to create a WMD.WMD.

Solar energy originates Solar energy originates as fusion energy in the as fusion energy in the sun’s interior.sun’s interior.

Fusion power is an Fusion power is an active area of research.active area of research.

Nuclear Reactors:Nuclear Reactors:Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Similar to coal Similar to coal plant: boils water, plant: boils water, makes steam, makes steam, steam drives steam drives turbine, turbine turbine, turbine turns electrical turns electrical generator generator

Fissioning of U-Fissioning of U-235 is the fuel.235 is the fuel.

BWR ComponentsBWR Components

Containment Containment building building prevents release prevents release of radiationof radiation

Water is needed Water is needed as coolant and as coolant and to prevent to prevent meltdown. meltdown.

Nuclear Reactor is a Heat Nuclear Reactor is a Heat EngineEngine

Efficiency is Efficiency is similar to a coal similar to a coal burning plant, burning plant, about 33%about 33%

So, 2/3 of the So, 2/3 of the released energy released energy is waste heat.is waste heat.

Uranium FuelUranium Fuel

Only 0.7% of Only 0.7% of natural U is U-235. natural U is U-235.

U-238 is not U-238 is not fissionable.fissionable.

U must be U must be enriched to 2.8% enriched to 2.8% U-235.U-235.

Uranium Fuel SupplyUranium Fuel Supply

Worldwide U-235 Worldwide U-235 resource does not resource does not offer a long-term offer a long-term energy solution. energy solution.

Breeder reactor Breeder reactor consuming U-235 consuming U-235 can convert U-can convert U-238 into Pu-239.238 into Pu-239.

Nuclear Power in the USNuclear Power in the US

104 nuclear plants 104 nuclear plants

Produce 20% US Produce 20% US ElectricityElectricity

No new plants No new plants since 1973since 1973

Why? Why?

Present Uses of Nuclear PowerPresent Uses of Nuclear Power

Plants provide about 17% of the world’s electricityPlants provide about 17% of the world’s electricity

About 15% of US overall electricityAbout 15% of US overall electricity

More than 400 plants around the world, with more than More than 400 plants around the world, with more than 100 in the US100 in the US

How many plants, how much How many plants, how much energy?energy?

By the end of the 1990’s: By the end of the 1990’s: US had in operation 104 power plantsUS had in operation 104 power plants Total output of about 97,000 MWeTotal output of about 97,000 MWe Accounting for about 19% of total electricity generated Accounting for about 19% of total electricity generated

and 5% of our total energy outputand 5% of our total energy output

WORLDWIDEWORLDWIDE the US has more operating reactors than any other countrythe US has more operating reactors than any other countrySome countries supply more than 50% of their electricity from fissionSome countries supply more than 50% of their electricity from fission

France- 77%France- 77% South Korea- 50% with nuclearSouth Korea- 50% with nuclear Germany- 30% with nuclearGermany- 30% with nuclear

By ’99, there were 425 reactors in operation in the world.By ’99, there were 425 reactors in operation in the world.29 reactors are now under construction29 reactors are now under construction

United StatesUnited StatesNo new reactors have No new reactors have been ordered in the USbeen ordered in the US

Economics have been Economics have been the chief reason for the the chief reason for the declinedecline

The last 20 reactors The last 20 reactors built in the US cost $3 built in the US cost $3 to $6 billion, or $3,000 to $6 billion, or $3,000 to $6,000/KWto $6,000/KW

A gas fired plant costs A gas fired plant costs almost 10times lessalmost 10times less

Economic GraphsEconomic Graphs

Advantages of Nuclear Advantages of Nuclear PowerPower

The Ultimate Energy ResourceThe Ultimate Energy Resource

Uranium is AbundantUranium is Abundant

Uranium is more abundant than fossil fuelsUranium is more abundant than fossil fuels

Uranium 238—130,000 quadUranium 238—130,000 quad

Coal—12,000 quadCoal—12,000 quad

Uranium 235—1,800 quadUranium 235—1,800 quad

Nuclear Energy is CleanNuclear Energy is Cleanand Environmentally Friendlyand Environmentally Friendly

Nuclear energy emits no harmful Nuclear energy emits no harmful gases or toxic metalsgases or toxic metalsIt does not alter a region’s It does not alter a region’s ecosystemecosystemWastes created are far less of a Wastes created are far less of a problem than those produced by problem than those produced by coal or the silt that builds up coal or the silt that builds up behind damsbehind dams

Big Energy, Small WasteBig Energy, Small Waste

One lb. of Uranium One lb. of Uranium produces 20,000 times produces 20,000 times more energy than one more energy than one pound of coalpound of coalWaste is the size of one Waste is the size of one aspirin tablet per person aspirin tablet per person per yearper yearOne plant’s yearly waste One plant’s yearly waste would fit comfortably would fit comfortably under a dining room tableunder a dining room tableCoal plants generate 320 Coal plants generate 320 lbs. of ash and other lbs. of ash and other poisons per person per poisons per person per yearyear

Is nuclear waste disposal an Is nuclear waste disposal an advantage?advantage?

Yes, because it is Yes, because it is encapsulated in encapsulated in fireproof, water-proof, fireproof, water-proof, and earthquake-proof and earthquake-proof boron-silicate glass or boron-silicate glass or ceramicceramicThen it is buried deep in Then it is buried deep in extremely arid groundextremely arid groundThe chance that the The chance that the encapsulated waste will encapsulated waste will ever harm anyone is ever harm anyone is virtually zerovirtually zero

Nuclear Energy is Safer for Nuclear Energy is Safer for WorkersWorkers

100 coal miners are 100 coal miners are killed each year in the killed each year in the US in accidents and US in accidents and another 100 die another 100 die transporting ittransporting itPer amount of Per amount of electricity produced, electricity produced, hydropower causes hydropower causes 110 fold, coal 45 fold, 110 fold, coal 45 fold, and natural gas 10 and natural gas 10 fold more deaths than fold more deaths than nuclear powernuclear power

Nuclear Power does not cause Nuclear Power does not cause radiation problemsradiation problems

NUCLEAR POWER:NUCLEAR POWER:CONCERNS & PROBLEMSCONCERNS & PROBLEMS

Four Main Areas:Four Main Areas:

SafetySafety

Waste DisposalWaste Disposal

ProliferationProliferation

CostCost

Etc.Etc.

SafetySafetyBecause of its potential power, nuclear power is frowned Because of its potential power, nuclear power is frowned

upon for its inherent and demonstrated safety risks.upon for its inherent and demonstrated safety risks.

Three Mile Island and Three Mile Island and ChernobylChernobyl

Prime Target for terrorist Prime Target for terrorist attacksattacks

No way to completely No way to completely ensure safety and ensure safety and security in plantssecurity in plants

Waste DisposalWaste DisposalThere is currently no excellent solution to theThere is currently no excellent solution to the

problem of waste disposal where nuclear waste is problem of waste disposal where nuclear waste is concerned. concerned.

Plutonium and uranium can be Plutonium and uranium can be radioactive for up to 700,000 radioactive for up to 700,000 yearsyears

Yucca Mountain not available Yucca Mountain not available until 2010, not sufficient if use until 2010, not sufficient if use expandedexpanded

Large risks involved for Large risks involved for surrounding areassurrounding areas

Problems with long-distance Problems with long-distance transport, long-term storagetransport, long-term storage

ProliferationProliferationMaterials from nuclear power plants could be acquired by Materials from nuclear power plants could be acquired by

groups in search of atomic weaponsgroups in search of atomic weapons

Plants hold large amounts of weapons grade Plants hold large amounts of weapons grade uranium and plutoniumuranium and plutonium

Everything available to make nuclear weaponsEverything available to make nuclear weapons

No way to ensure security against theft and No way to ensure security against theft and takeoverstakeovers

CostCostRight now nuclear energy is not an economically beneficial Right now nuclear energy is not an economically beneficial option for those who would be building/running the plants.option for those who would be building/running the plants.

Nuclear plants cost $3-$6 Nuclear plants cost $3-$6 billion to build (10x the cost billion to build (10x the cost of a coal plant)of a coal plant)

Running cost not as Running cost not as efficient when safety, waste efficient when safety, waste disposal accounted fordisposal accounted for

Highly trained employees Highly trained employees scarce and expensivescarce and expensive

Decommissioning a major Decommissioning a major concernconcern

Is Nuclear Power an Economic Is Nuclear Power an Economic Disaster?Disaster?

Some analysts think so:Some analysts think so:As the nuclear industry celebrates a record year for As the nuclear industry celebrates a record year for power generation, energy conservation expert Amory power generation, energy conservation expert Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute still considers it Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute still considers it an economic disaster. "Nuclear has suffered the greatest an economic disaster. "Nuclear has suffered the greatest collapse of any enterprise in the industrial history of the collapse of any enterprise in the industrial history of the world." world." The industry, he writes, has less than 10 percent of the The industry, he writes, has less than 10 percent of the lowest capacity predicted just 25 years ago by the lowest capacity predicted just 25 years ago by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "No one has made International Atomic Energy Agency. "No one has made money selling reactors. U.S. investments exceeding a money selling reactors. U.S. investments exceeding a trillion dollars are delivering only about as much energy trillion dollars are delivering only about as much energy as bio-fuels" like waste wood and ethanol. as bio-fuels" like waste wood and ethanol.

The Future of Nuclear Power:The Future of Nuclear Power:Will Nuclear Make a Comeback?Will Nuclear Make a Comeback?the current combination of good operating records, a the current combination of good operating records, a thirst for electricity, and worries about global warming, thirst for electricity, and worries about global warming, make nuclear's prospects seem brighter than any time make nuclear's prospects seem brighter than any time since Three Mile Island melted downsince Three Mile Island melted downNuclear engineer Michael Corradini said, “"I'd be willing Nuclear engineer Michael Corradini said, “"I'd be willing to bet that in one or two years somebody will order a to bet that in one or two years somebody will order a nuclear power plant. "The utilities are trying to decide nuclear power plant. "The utilities are trying to decide which one has the guts enough to do it." which one has the guts enough to do it." In the last analysis, ordering new reactors will rest more In the last analysis, ordering new reactors will rest more on economics than on public sentiment on economics than on public sentiment There are 433 nuclear reactors in the world, and the There are 433 nuclear reactors in the world, and the public fear did not arise after the last one was built public fear did not arise after the last one was built That fear has been overcome in the past, and if the That fear has been overcome in the past, and if the economics were right, it will be overcome in the future economics were right, it will be overcome in the future

What does the future hold?What does the future hold?“Business as Usual”

What does the future hold?What does the future hold?“Business as Usual”

What does the future hold?What does the future hold?“Business as Usual”

What does the future hold?What does the future hold?“Business as Usual”

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